First Comics News: How was Dusk Comics formed?
David Doub: Originally, I had worked with a couple of small publishers and I thought I learned enough to publish comics myself. That was obviously not true, as publishing was very much a learning experience. To this day I find there is always something new to learn and honestly to continue doing your best work you have to always to strive to improve!
1st: What is your mission statement for Dusk Comics?
David: It may simple, but we’re always trying to help out with getting comics made, especially with folks who need that little extra push to get those comics out. That’s why we are involved with community outreach like Texas Latino Comic Con and Women of Wonder Con. We are about getting comics made not just for us but in general.
1st: What is the story in “Dusk”? Who are Eve and Ash, what are they like?
David: Dusk at its core it’s about relationships and how messy they can be. Originally it was meant to be a Vampire story but as I’ve written it over the years the more I’ve realized that my writing has been an obvious reflection of how I’ve observed and experienced relationships. Vampires and the supernatural make a great backdrop that allows me to really explore and twist and bend typically normal relationships.
For example, Eve and Ash were based on two friends of mine who had a tumultuous relationship, and I just took what I saw, added some darker stuff, and cranked up the drama.
In the book, Eve is the victim of spousal abuse as she tries to escape that things get worse as she is kidnapped by a vile vampire who wanted Eve for innate ability in the occult. When Eve is finally saved by the vampire, Ash, Eve confuses Ash’s goodwill for actual affection and love.
Ash is one to let one choose their own path and allows Eve to stay in his service despite the confusion in their relationship.
Ash is cold and pragmatic, partially because of the temptations of evil and also to do otherwise would go against his aesthetics.
Eve is ruled by her emotions and is sometimes totally possessed by them. In a way, she is, a reflection of me when I was younger and I would let my passions get the better of me.
1st: How are the vampires in “Dusk” different than your mainstream ones?
David: I don’t make the vampires in Dusk too different than other vampires. I do try to pick and choose the best version I can make for the world, but I am not trying to reinvent the wheel as it were.
1st: What are their powers?
David: I try not to get into the details of what the powers and abilities are of the dark creatures are in Dusk because I like mystery and suspense. If you know all about a creature, then you aren’t as afraid of them, they become predictable and mundane. I was to make sure people are uncomfortable and afraid.
1st: How did Vampire Lord Ash become a Vampire Lord?
David: He was made a vampire during medieval times because his mistress needs cannon fodder for a vampiric war and luckily (or unluckily) he survived.
1st: What do you think of black and white comics compared to color ones?
David: I grew up during the Black and White boom in comics, so they have a special place in my heart. I also grew up on Manga, so Black and White is very familiar with me. Both B&W and Color have their strengths and I enjoy them both. It’s just unfortunate that colors seem to sell better like people subconsciously feel black and white is inferior. There is some amazing work in black and white.
1st: Who is Black Sarah?
David: Black Sarah started as a playoff of Red Sonja. I wanted to do a real warrior woman more in the vein of modern female characters like Xena. She is basically in charge of a squad of soldiers and they are duty when the darkest day of their kingdom happens.
1st: What is “The Trials and Tribulations of Ms. Tilney” all about?
David: It’s set in Victorian London where a British Lord and his Physician are accused of feeding people to Tigers. Young reporter, Henrietta Tilney is on the story and there is more to meets the eye.
It’s meant to be a comic book version of those old penny dreadfuls that were made back in Victorian times.
1st: Why did you help create the “Women of Wonder Con”?
David: I’ve done a lot of work for cons on all levels and I noticed there are plenty of comic cons, but I felt it was time to raise the discussion more about different aspects of comics. One sadly overlooked and underappreciated aspect of comics and art is all the great female creators there are. So WOWcon not only helps celebrate established creators it helps inspire and educate future female creators.
1st: What do you think of Doctor Strange?
David: I love the character. I love Steve Ditko’s work on Doctor Strange. I love his time with the Defenders. He works because he’s an outsider, someone always alone and apart from everyone else. And Ditko established some great and crazy occult and cosmic forces for the Marvel Universe through Doctor Strange that were carried on by such great creators like Jim Starlin.
1st: Do you think you would make a good vampire?
David: I am still learning to be a good person, so I think I would be a horrible vampire. I would wallow around in some much angst and anger; I would be swimming in it. Oh, it would be quite the show, but it would end very badly if I was a vampire.
1st: Anything to say to all the people who have enjoyed “Dusk”?
David: I just want to say thank you to everyone who has tried out and enjoy Dusk. Dusk is very personal for me, so I really appreciate it when others give my stories a chance.
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